Picking SSDs with DRAM

[SeemsLegit]

Okay, so, regardless of what SSD youre picking (m.2, SATA etc.) it seems that you should always go for one with a DRAM catche. but why? what is it, why do I need it and how can i tell which SSDs have it?

[Levent]

You almost have to check the reviews of each SSD unless manufacturer claims that it has DRAM (Samsung for example does let users know product page).

[Eigenvektor]

3 minutes ago, SeemsLegit said:

DRAM catche

DRAM is faster than an SSD. The point of a Cache is to either hold the most used data, making it faster to read, or to temporarily buffer written data until it can be written to the "slower" SSD. Simply put, it makes a fast SSD even faster (in some situations).

[Nathanpete]

DRAM isn't necessary per se. My experience with SATA SSDs without DRAM hasn't be great, because sometimes it can still be bottlenecked by transfer speeds, buy im running a dram-less NVMe M.2 SSD as my OS and games drive and it is fantastic. I personally think that if you don't have much experience with the joys that are NVMe SSDs, then it doesn't matter.

Personally: If it is SATA (either 2.5" or M.2 B+M key) get one with DRAM. If it is NVMe, it doesn't really matter, and other specs such as actual read and write speeds and the TBW matter more. 

[NewMaxx]

DRAM is used for metadata that can speed up read/write accesses - this is especially important with SATA drives.